Background of Podiatry
What is a Podiatrist?
Podiatry is a branch of health care devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. A podiatrist is a specialist with extensive training who provides medical diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems, including, but not limited to sprains and fractures, bunions, ingrown toenails, warts, corns and calluses, heel pain/spurs, hammertoes, neuromas. In addition, a podiatrist renders care of sprains, fractures, infections, and injuries of the foot, ankle and heel. Podiatrists must have a doctor of podiatric medicine degree frome a college of podiatric medicine and are required to take state and national exams, as well as be licensed by the state in which they practice. Podiatrists are in demand more than ever today because of a rapidly aging population. In addition foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in this country.
Training of a Podiatrist
A doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) practices the medical, surgical, and bio-mechanical treatment of the human foot, ankle, and associated structures. Although we specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the foot and ankle, Doctors of Podiatric Medicine are also highly trained health care providers. We see people of all ages and are often the first medical specialist to diagnose systemic problems that affect the feet and ankles such as diabetes, gout, hypertension, immunodeficiency, and arthritis. Four years of medical school is typically followed by 2 or 3 years of residency that certifies these doctors to function as partners in the larger medical community. Podiatric physicians (podiatrists) are the only medical professions who exclusively specialize in treating the foot and ankle and interact on a daily basis with ter rest of the medical community. There are 15 thousand podiatrist practicing in the US which has a population of 300 million people.
Podiatry Characteristics
• Consult with the patient and other physicians on how to prevent foot problems.
• Treat multiple condistions, including: bone disorders, bunions, corns, calluses, cysts, heel spurs, infections, ingrown nails, and plantar fasciitis.
• Diagnose and treat tumors, ulcers, fractures, skin and nail diseases, and deformities.
• Perform surgeries to correct or remedy such problems as bunions, clawtoes, fractures, hammertoes, infections, ruptured Achilles, and other ligaments and tendons.
• Prescribe or fit patients with inserts called orthotics that correct walking patterns.
• Prescribe therapies and perform diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound and lab tests.
• Surgical removal of ingrown toenails and fungus toenails.
• Surgical removal of ganglion cysts and foreign bodies.
